Bob Kerrey: “I say to the Senator, indeed the double accounting problem is one we footnoted. The Senator from Colorado dealt with…”

“I say to the Senator, indeed the double accounting problem is one we footnoted. The Senator from Colorado dealt with that earlier. We included it only because it has not been enacted into law. We were not trying to hide anything from anybody. We fully disclosed that $26 billion might end up being double counted depending on what ends up happening. We indicate with our amendment, if the crime bill passes, this $26 billion will be used as we have all--or most of us have--voted earlier. I am going to make, really, some closing statements, I hope. I think Senator Lieberman wants to make some statements. Then I am prepared to go to a vote. The distinguished senior Senator from West Virginia, the President pro tempore, is an accomplished fiddler. I have heard him and know this to be the case. He is also an accomplished whittler. I just saw him do that to our amendment, cutting it down to size substantially, not only with the $26 billion that the Republican leader just mentioned but some other items. I would like to just take a few minutes to put a little wood back on this proposal.”